bulge 1 of 2

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bulge

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verb

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as in to burst
to be copiously supplied this guidebook to San Francisco positively bulges with useful information

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bulge different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of bulge are projection, protrusion, and protuberance. While all these words mean "an extension beyond the normal line or surface," bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure.

bulges in the tile floor

When is projection a more appropriate choice than bulge?

The synonyms projection and bulge are sometimes interchangeable, but projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle.

those projections along the wall are safety hazards

Where would protrusion be a reasonable alternative to bulge?

While in some cases nearly identical to bulge, protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity.

the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

When would protuberance be a good substitute for bulge?

The meanings of protuberance and bulge largely overlap; however, protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form.

a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bulge
Noun
From bodega doorways, teens in hoodies glare, one hand on the bulge behind their belt. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025 DeChambeau was the genesis of the idea to make the curve of the club face – the bulge and roll – proportionate to how fast a golfer can swing the club. Erik Matuszewski, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
The papers comprise a laboratory notebook, a considerable quantity of loose sheets (some organized into bundles), and—the jewel of the collection—a looseleaf ring binder bulging with pages. IEEE Spectrum, 4 Feb. 2025 That’s Meghan addressing her children, by the way, not their bulging one-way inboxes. Claire Cohen, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bulge
Noun
  • The slow-moving creatures, — distinguished by the thorn-like protrusions that cover their bodies — are found up to 3,600 feet below the surface of the ocean.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Gone are most of the toggle switches (and the little safety protrusions that accompanied them) on the dashboard, with the exception of one for changing between drive, reverse, and neutral, plus another to switch between drive modes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Pone hit a sacrifice fly to put Ole Miss up 5-4, Mackenzie Pickens hit and RBI single in the fifth for a two-run advantage and Brady sent a solo home run to left-center field in the seventh to set the final score.
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
  • There are advantages older figures can bring to politics — even if the current generation has ruined the reputation of elder statesmen.
    Jack Butler, National Review, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Using metal detectors and magnetometers, the team was able to locate large bits of steel and iron protruding from the seafloor that turned out to be parts of the frame and windlass, the machine used to reel in the anchor.
    Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
  • One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 Met Gala is Rihanna’s protruding belly.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • Broadcast integrations included Stitch bursting onto the sets of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and SportsCenter.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 May 2025
  • The appendix can burst within 24 hours or less of symptoms starting.
    Brandi Jones, Health, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Market projections confirm this: The NLP market is expected to grow from $18.9 billion in 2023 to $68.1 billion by 2028.
    Asad Khan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Earlier this week, the European Union put out its latest economic projections, cutting its 2025 gross domestic product forecast for both the EU and euro area to 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively.
    Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Special teams ace/edge rusher DeAngelo Malone also would be a difficult cut.
    Josh Kendall, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • In the second round of the playoffs, against the defending champion, the Boston Celtics, the script was flipped: the Knicks got down by huge margins in the first two games but came storming back for the victory in both, creating a 2–0 edge.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Within seconds, Phaedra poked fun at newbies Brit Eady, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell.
    Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 25 May 2025
  • These two words have become an international meme, poking fun at Trump, especially since Putin ignored him.
    Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • May 25, 2025 Read more: Pacers Legend Reveals Major Criticism for Tyrese Haliburton After Game 3 Loss Fans have been buzzing about the video and getting a good laugh out of it.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
  • This is an excellent time to set out for this buzzing city on Puget Sound.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 27 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bulge. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

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